MR GORDON COATES, M. P.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 26 June 1914, Page 4

MR GORDON COATES, M. P.

• . < w THE MEMBER FOR THE • / KAIPARA DISTRICT. .;-./<

THE member for Kaipara (Mr ' '' Gordon Coates) delivered a pre- .; sessional speech at Helensville on Tuesday evening. The speaker stated that some people were opposed to him because he was inclined to be an Independent, but personally he did not "care a fig" for pedigree as far as partypolitics were concerned; nor did *'« he care for party politics. He % would like to see more Independ- *T^ ents, but an independent member was not regarded as a reliable man. He was called a rail-sitter. Proceeding, Mr Coates said that it was impossible, in his experi- J ence, to act as an Independent. v J Mr Coates then referred to his last election pledgesi the freehold principles, Hauraki Crown lands, and the Gum Commission. In conclusion, Mr Coates stated that he was in favour of the breaking t up of large estates ; buying an|r" settling native lands where possible ; borrowing money for roads and bridges; loans to local bodies;' graduated land tax; the further Liberalising of old age pensions ; loans for rural workers' homes; and the giving of Government assistance to the fishing industry. A vote of thanks to and confidence in the Member for Kaipara was^carried with great applause, cheers being given for the Massey Government.